Device for attaching to a vehicle to form a fork lift

Abstract

A winch and rail assembly support structure is adapted to mount to a front of a vehicle. A winch is supported by the winch and rail assembly support structure. A rail assembly is configured to removably connect to the winch and rail assembly support structure. The rail assembly comprises two opposing elongated rails, each elongated rail comprising two opposing tracks, and a pulley supported at a distal end of the rails. A fork assembly comprises an elongated fork support arm configured to span between the rails, a pair of forks configured to connect to the fork support arm, and a plurality of roller wheels connected to the elongated fork support arm. A first pair of the roller wheels is configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a first one of the rails, and a second pair of the roller wheels is configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a second one of the rails. A flexible elongated member is configured to extend from the winch, over the pulley, and from the pulley to the fork support arm. The fork support arm is configured to connect to the flexible elongated member. When the winch is operated in a first direction, the flexible elongated member pulls the fork assembly upward along the rails, and when the winch is operated in a second direction, the fork assembly is lowered along the rails.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for attaching to a vehicle to form a fork lift, the device comprising: a. a winch and rail assembly support structure comprising: i. a support channel;   ii. a mounting structure connected to the support channel and adapted to mount to a front of a vehicle such that the support channel is vertically adjustable on the vehicle;   iii. a pair of elongated rail assembly support members extending outwardly from the support channel;   iv. a winch support plate extending between the rail assembly support members;     b. a winch supported by the winch support plate;   c. a rail assembly support structure comprising: i. an elongated member;   ii. a pair of tubular extensions connected to the elongated member and configured to slidingly mate with the rail assembly support members to connect the elongated member to the winch and rail assembly support structure;   iii. at least one wheel support assembly attached to the elongated member;   iv. a wheel configured to attach to each of the at least one wheel support assembly, each wheel adapted to rest on grade when the elongated member is connected to the winch and rail assembly support structure and the winch and rail assembly support structure is connected to the vehicle;     d. a rail assembly comprising: i. two opposing elongated rails connected to the elongated member;   ii. each elongated rail comprising two opposing tracks;   iii. a pulley supported at a distal end of the rails;     e. a fork assembly comprising: i. an elongated fork support arm configured to span between the rails;   ii. a pair of forks configured to connect to the fork support arm; and   iii. a plurality of roller wheels connected to the elongated fork support arm, a first pair of the roller wheels configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a first one of the rails, and a second pair of the roller wheels configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a second one of the rails;     e. a flexible elongated member configured to extend from the winch, over the pulley, and from the pulley to the fork support arm, the fork support arm configured to connect to the flexible elongated member, wherein when the winch is operated in a first direction, the flexible elongated member pulls the fork assembly upward along the rails, and when the winch is operated in a second direction, the fork assembly is lowered along the rails.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1, wherein a distance between the forks on the fork support arm is adjustable. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1, wherein the location of the wheel relative to the wheel support assembly is adjustable. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a spike configured to removably attach to the fork support arm, for stabilizing hay bales being carried by the forks. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the rails is length adjustable. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the rails comprises a plurality of segments which are connectable end to end to vary a length of the rail. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the rail assembly support members has a plate end support connected thereto and to the support channel for supporting the winch support plate. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plate end supports each include a plurality of mounting holes adapted for attaching accessories thereto when the rail assembly is not connected to the winch and rail assembly support structure. 
     
     
       9. A device for attaching to a vehicle to form a fork lift, the device comprising: a. a winch and rail assembly support structure adapted to mount to a front of a vehicle;   b. a winch supported by the winch and rail assembly support structure;   c. a rail assembly configured to removably connect to the winch and rail assembly support structure, the rail assembly comprising: i. two opposing elongated rails;   ii. each of the rails comprising three segments which are connectable end to end, and the length of the rail is reducible by omitting one of the segments;   iii. each elongated rail comprising two opposing tracks; and   iv. a pulley supported at a distal end of the rails;     d. a fork assembly comprising: i. an elongated fork support arm configured to span between the rails;   ii. a pair of forks configured to connect to the fork support arm; and   iii. a plurality of roller wheels connected to the elongated fork support arm, a first pair of the roller wheels configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a first one of the rails, and a second pair of the roller wheels configured to ride within the two opposing tracks of a second one of the rails;     e. a flexible elongated member configured to extend from the winch, over the pulley, and from the pulley to the fork support arm, the fork support arm configured to connect to the flexible elongated member, wherein when the winch is operated in a first direction, the flexible elongated member pulls the fork assembly upward along the rails, and when the winch is operated in a second direction, the fork assembly is lowered along the rails.   
     
     
       10. The device of claim 9, wherein a distance between the forks on the fork support arm is adjustable. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim 9, wherein the rail assembly further comprises at least one wheel adapted to rest on grade when the rail assembly is attached to the vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one wheel is vertically adjustable when the fork assembly is attached to the vehicle. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 9, wherein the winch and rail assembly support structure is adapted to be vertically adjustable on the vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a spike configured to removably attach to the fork support arm, for stabilizing hay bales being carried by the forks.